Connector for enteral fluid delivery set
A connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient includes an integrally formed spike projecting into a cavity defined by an interior surface of a body of the connector. An air passage in communication with the cavity extends through the spike to outside the connector. A filter is secured to the end of the passage outside the connector. The body of the connector is free of structure that both defines any portion of the liquid passage and is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container.
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The present invention relates generally to a connector for an enteral fluid delivery set, and more particularly, to such a connector having an air passage extending through an integrally formed spike.
In an enteral fluid delivery set for a patient, there is a need to provide a connector that will effect a quick connection of a fluid delivery set to a prefilled, foil-sealed container containing enteral nutritional fluid. In such systems, the connector is preferably in the form of a cap, which replaces the shipping cap on the prefilled container. Either the cap or the enteral fluid delivery set includes a spiking member for perforating the foil seal on the container. The cap has a liquid passage to fluidly connect the container and a feeding tube of the delivery set and an air passage to introduce air into the container as fluid flows from the container. A filter is placed in the air passage to inhibit microbes from passing into the container.
In one type of a conventional connector, the liquid passage is formed through the spiking member. This arrangement simplifies the setup procedure; however, sometimes portions of the punctured seal may become lodged in the liquid passage when the spike perforates the seal or the seal may fold upward into the passage and inhibit the flow of liquid.
In another type of conventional connector, the air passage does not extend into the interior of the connector, and during use, the entrance of the air passage is adjacent the seal. Some prior spike arrangements do not provide a sufficiently large opening through the foil seal, and the seal may become lodged in the air passage, possibly causing the feed container to implode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient generally comprises a body having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving an outlet of the container, and an exterior surface. A liquid passage is defined in the body. The liquid passage has a first end in fluid communication with the cavity and a second end for connection to the enteral feeding tube to fluidly connect the container and the enteral feeding tube when the connector is received on the container. A spike is formed integrally with the body. The spike has a free end projecting into the cavity for piercing a puncturable seal covering the outlet of the container as the outlet of the container is being received in the cavity. An air passage extends through the spike to the exterior surface of the body for introducing air from outside the connector into the container when the connector is attached to the container. The body is free of structure that both defines any portion of the liquid passage and is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The entire connector 10, excluding the air filter 88, may be formed as a homogeneous and integral unit, such as by molding (e.g., injection molding) or by forming, including boring, from stock material. Alternatively, the connector 10 may be constructed of one or more separate components fastened together in a suitable manner. Suitable materials for making the connector 10 include polypropylene (e.g., polypropylene 535), polyethylene and other suitable polymers. Other material may be used, and different material may be used for the separate components of the connector 10.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A connector for use in connecting a container of liquid nutrients to an enteral feeding tube to supply the liquid nutrients to a patient, the connector comprising:
- a body having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving an outlet of the container, and an exterior surface;
- a liquid passage defined in the body having a first end in fluid communication with the cavity and a second end for connection to the enteral feeding tube to fluidly connect the container and the enteral feeding tube when the connector is received on the container;
- a spike formed integrally with the body and having a free end projecting into the cavity for piercing a puncturable seal covering the outlet of the container as the outlet of the container is being received in the cavity;
- an air passage extending through the spike to the exterior surface of the body for introducing air from outside the connector into the container when the connector is attached to the container; and
- the body being free of structure that both defines any portion of the liquid passage and is formed for penetrating the puncturable seal of the container.
2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein no portion of the liquid passage extends into the cavity.
3. A connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein the interior surface of the body includes an upper surface section, the liquid passage having an opening generally flush with the upper surface section.
4. A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the spike projects from the interior surface of the body.
5. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein the spike is spaced from the liquid passage opening on the interior surface.
6. A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein the upper surface section is substantially flat.
7. A connector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an air filter and a filter mount disposed on the exterior surface of the body in fluid communication with the air passage for connecting the air filter to the body.
8. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body has a cylindrical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion projecting from the lower portion, the interior surface at the lower portion having internally projecting threads for threadably attaching to a container with a threaded, larger diameter outlet, the interior surface at the upper portion being adapted for snap fitting to a container with a smaller diameter outlet.
9. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein the liquid passage is partially defined by a tubular conduit projecting outward from the exterior surface of the upper portion of the body and having threads on its exterior surface for threadable attachment to the enteral feeding tube.
10. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spike has a generally flat bottom surface and the air passage opens at the flat bottom surface into the cavity.
11. A connector as set forth in claim 10 wherein the spike has a knife edge extending along its length.
12. A connector as set forth in claim 11 wherein the bottom surface of the spike lies generally in a plane intersecting a central axis of the body at an angle thereby to form a tip at a lower end of the knife edge.
13. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body has a central axis, the spike being spaced from the central axis.
14. A connector as set forth in claim 13 wherein the liquid passage has an opening in its first end having a longitudinal axis spaced from the central axis of the body.
15. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spike has first and second opposite broad sides, and first and second opposite narrow sides, the second narrow side being beveled from the second broad side to the first broad side, so that a cutting edge is formed where the second narrow side meets the first broad side, the second narrow side tapering toward the free end of the spike such that a folding edge is formed where the second narrow side meets the second broad side.
16. A connector as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first broad side is generally arcuate.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2007
Patent Grant number: 7611502
Applicant: Sherwood Services AG (Schaffhausen)
Inventor: Paul Daly (Co. Offaly)
Application Number: 11/254,520
International Classification: A61B 19/00 (20060101);